Summer Hitchhiker Happenings - ALASKA, for one

[kipper]

If we're talking about Canada too, then I would defiantly recommend Nelson BC! Has anyone else been there? If ever there was a spot that represented the spirit of the road in Canada then that would be it.
It is a beautiful little mountain town located in the central Kootenay’s. It is out of the way a bit, but still very accessible. During the summer they have the Saturday Market in Cottonwood Park and many road travelers make their way there to enjoy the atmosphere and chill by the water falls. They have a number of music and art festivals throughout the summer. The surround area is full of hidden gems like hot spring, hiking trails and mountain lakes. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been!
There are several border crossings from Montana, Idaho and Washington for you guys south of the boarder. It is usually pretty easy to sneak across if you must.
For accommodations, there is an out cropping of land south west of town between the tracks and the lake where travelers have always camped without being bothered. If you prefer there are organized camp grounds in town and a back packer’s hostel.
I have never been to a hitchhikers happening, but I would love to attend one this summer. This may be kinda selfish of me, but I am tree planting this spring, so I would recommend having the happening sometime in late July or early August.
What do ya say guys, shall we do one in Nelson?

[kipper]

Post script
Check out www.ilovenelson.com for a list of amazing festivals lined up for the summer of 2008.

[Lightfoot]

I missed Nelson on my last BC trip and have been kicking myself ever since.

Here's the Nelson web cam: http://www.tarasoft.com/webcam.aspx

Check these web cams out--I do every day!

http://members.shaw.ca/ruping/webcams/pyrwebcams.html

[tomcat]

I really like this idea, Salman. I should be in the Northwest area
(Oregon, Washington probably) this summer just traveling and visiting friends. I've toyed around with going up to Alaska to work for a month or two, and being able to go to a gathering as well would be great!

Also, I do like the idea of having it somewhere in Canada. Hitching through Canada is truly a pleasure.

Unfortunately, I don't know enough about the Northwest or Alaska to be much help in planning, but I should be on the road from April onward, and I can definitely spread the word!

If there's anything I can do to help out, let me know.

[Salman]

Great to hear about your idea for a campsite on Homer Spit, dharm -- the view from there remains one of the most awe-inspiring of all time for me. I haven't been there for over a decade, but good to hear the ol' Salty Dawg remains.

Let's make this happen. I recommend early JULY -- maybe even the week around July 4th, since the fireworks let off by boaters in Kachemak Bay is a beautiful sight.

This will be A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EVENT for many who choose to come. Don't miss it. Start letting everyone know your plans to come to Homer, Alaska, and send a message to Dharm_abum if you can help him in any way toward renting an RV or doing on-the-ground organizing ahead of time. We'll start spreading the word early for this event, and we want everyone on the highways of North America to know that Homer is the place for hitchhikers to be come July.

I really like Kipper's idea for Nelson in BC, also. It's doable to have one in both Nelson and Vancouver Island, but everyone cast your vote about the one you'd be more likely to attend and we can start putting our energy into that.

--and tomcat-- great to hear you'll be on the road and spreading the word. Looking forward to seeing you and a lot of other folks at a gathering this summer. We'll figure out what more we can all do as more ideas are put out there.

Everyone, keep sharing ideas! Here's the possible hitchhiker gathering lineup so far:

THE NORTHERN MIGRATION of HITCHHIKERS
1. PORTLAND, Oregon (or EUGENE? Willamette Valley?) in JUNE
2. Vancouver Island and/or NELSON, BC in Canada in JUNE
3. HOMER, Alaska in JULY


If you live in any of these places and want to do some extra footwork or hosting, tell it!

[dharm_abum]

right on. i don't really need help getting an RV or campsite reserved, thought the offer is very nice and greatly appreciated. i just want everyone to know there will be a definite place set up to give all who make it a big Alaskan welcome. the July Fourth weekend should be a great time to hold a gathering. as far as getting the word out :
anyone have skills creating a flyer?
if it can be downloaded, perhaps we can get it mailed to a variety of indy hostels all over the place.
for anyone who might be planning a trip to Alaska, Yukon or Northwest Territories and would like some info on hitching or transport/hostels along the way, please don't hesitate to post here or pm me. i'd love to see as many hitchers as possible make it to this event.. as mentioned before, the view from the end of the Homer Spit is awesome. perhaps a view like some hitchers may have never seen before.
as time gets closer, i will post some hitching related info & web links.
Hope everyone can make it the Great Land under the Midnight Sun. if you have never been here before, you will never forget it.

[dharm_abum]

the Alaska ferry has finally put out their summer schedule. not real pretty.
there are only 5 sailings northbound out of Bellingham,Washington in June and only 4 in July. even less pretty- the fares are up. WAY up. example:
Bellingham to Haines(end of the line for the Inside Passage):$350
i had mentioned for anyone that for anyone not wanting to step onto Canadian soil, there is a Cross-Gulf trip. turns out that in June and July there will only be ONE trip per month. sadly, not cheap.
Bellingham to Whittier(near Anchorage): $550

if still wanting to check out the summer schedule, here is the website for the Alaska Marine Highway: http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/index.html

a slightly cheaper way used to be hitching all the way to the northern tip of Vancouver Island, BC and taking the ferry to Prince Rupert BC and then hook up with the Alaska Ferry there. but this is not really a cheaper way any more. web site for BC Ferries: http://www.bcferries.com

it appears the most economical way to Alaska is simple: hitch.
hope this helps
dharm_abum

[Lightfoot]

I would love to be there dharm_abum. Thanks for providing motivation.

[serkit_ant]

[quote:2b2a4239f7="dharm_abum"]right on. i don't really need help getting an RV or campsite reserved, thought the offer is very nice and greatly appreciated. i just want everyone to know there will be a definite place set up to give all who make it a big Alaskan welcome. [b:2b2a4239f7]the July Fourth weekend should be a great time to hold a gathering.[/b:2b2a4239f7] as far as getting the word out :
anyone have skills creating a flyer?
if it can be downloaded, perhaps we can get it mailed to a variety of indy hostels all over the place.
for anyone who might be planning a trip to Alaska, Yukon or Northwest Territories and would like some info on hitching or transport/hostels along the way, please don't hesitate to post here or pm me. i'd love to see as many hitchers as possible make it to this event.. as mentioned before, the view from the end of the Homer Spit is awesome. perhaps a view like some hitchers may have never seen before.
as time gets closer, i will post some hitching related info & web links.
Hope everyone can make it the Great Land under the Midnight Sun. if you have never been here before, you will never forget it.[/quote:2b2a4239f7]

Not to burst a bubble but, that's the Rainbow Family Nationals in Wyoming I believe.

[Lightfoot]

Not to burst your bubble but not everyone is into the Rainbow Family. Some of the people who hype Rainbow on here the most have never even been to a single gathering. I suspect there will be a lot of get-togethers that weekend, both big and small.